Bills’ ‘home game’ in Toronto annoys diehard fans

It’s a question worth asking, given the feelings of annoyance here in Orchard Park, N.Y. over the Bills’ upcoming “home game” in Toronto.

On paper, the answer is clear. They’re entirely not Canadian. No players on the roster come from the Great White North. And none of the coaches are Canucks.

NHL fans?

“Hell no,” responds star defensive end Mario Williams, flabbergasted by the question as he stands in front of the stocked-up fridge in his locker-room cubby hole. “I know absolutely nothing about the NHL.”

But there are some Canadian connections to be found in the carpeted locker-room at the team’s field house practice facility beside Ralph Wilson Stadium — if you look hard enough.

For starters, the franchise does have at least one true hockey fan: tight-end/fullback Dorin Dickerson, a Pittsburgh native who cheers for the Penguins and is closely following lockout developments.

“My best friend growing up, he lived across the street from me. He was from the Czech Republic, and his family was real big into hockey,” explains the 24-year-old, who signed with Buffalo as a free agent in May.

Dickerson even plays the game, dropping in on ball hockey and skating with some Pittsburgh B-teams during the off-season. He thinks fighting in hockey is “great” and says he’d be an enforcer if he were to play in the NHL.

Hang on, though — before he’s declared an honorary Canadian, one thing should be made clear. He’s never been north of the border.

But he says he’s excited for his first trip on Sunday, when his team faces the Seattle Seahawks and their rookie-sensation quarterback Russell Wilson at the Rogers Centre.

On the defensive side of the ball, there’s Kyle Williams. The 303-pound, 2011 Pro Bowl D-tackle is well acquainted with Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski. They were roommates at Louisiana State University.

“He’s from Vancouver and plays in the CFL, so he’s Canadian through and through,” says Williams.

Injured defensive tackle Torrell Troup can also boast a personal connection to the north country. One of his best friends is the son of former Toronto Raptors coach Butch Carter.

In recent years, the Bills’ relationship with Canada has been highlighted as the franchise tries to expand its fan base into Ontario. A large part of that effort is the five-year deal with Rogers that saw the team host games in Toronto in exchange for $78 million.

Many feel the agreement is akin to losing a home game, a disadvantage that could derail any possible playoff run. It’s a sensitive issue for fans of a team going on its 13th year without a post-season appearance, the longest active drought in the league.

Veteran defensive end Chris Kelsay said many fans at Toronto games cheer for the Bills’ opponents.

“In Buffalo,” said Kelsay, “we’ve got our true fans who show up, rain, winter or snow to support us … It’s definitely different.”

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, speaking on a conference call, said that if his team had to host a game in a different city, he “would think we’d have lost a bit of an advantage … Hopefully we’ll be a beneficiary of it.”

When asked whether it’s frustrating to have to travel north, Bills coach Chan Gailey was dismissive.

“Frustrating’s not where you play, frustrating’s not winning,” said Gailey, who’s faced criticism for his play calling after last Sunday’s 15-12 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

“You’d rather be at home; everybody would rather be at home. But you can’t play 16 (games) at home, so you play the way it’s scheduled.”

The Associated Press

Bills’ ‘home game’ in Toronto annoys diehard fans

SportsDec 13, 2012Waterloo Region Record

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — How Canadian are this year’s Buffalo Bills?

It’s a question worth asking, given the feelings of annoyance here in Orchard Park, N.Y. over the Bills’ upcoming “home game” in Toronto.

On paper, the answer is clear. They’re entirely not Canadian. No players on the roster come from the Great White North. And none of the coaches are Canucks.

NHL fans?

“Hell no,” responds star defensive end Mario Williams, flabbergasted by the question as he stands in front of the stocked-up fridge in his locker-room cubby hole. “I know absolutely nothing about the NHL.”

But there are some Canadian connections to be found in the carpeted locker-room at the team’s field house practice facility beside Ralph Wilson Stadium — if you look hard enough.

For starters, the franchise does have at least one true hockey fan: tight-end/fullback Dorin Dickerson, a Pittsburgh native who cheers for the Penguins and is closely following lockout developments.

“My best friend growing up, he lived across the street from me. He was from the Czech Republic, and his family was real big into hockey,” explains the 24-year-old, who signed with Buffalo as a free agent in May.

Dickerson even plays the game, dropping in on ball hockey and skating with some Pittsburgh B-teams during the off-season. He thinks fighting in hockey is “great” and says he’d be an enforcer if he were to play in the NHL.

Hang on, though — before he’s declared an honorary Canadian, one thing should be made clear. He’s never been north of the border.

But he says he’s excited for his first trip on Sunday, when his team faces the Seattle Seahawks and their rookie-sensation quarterback Russell Wilson at the Rogers Centre.

On the defensive side of the ball, there’s Kyle Williams. The 303-pound, 2011 Pro Bowl D-tackle is well acquainted with Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski. They were roommates at Louisiana State University.

“He’s from Vancouver and plays in the CFL, so he’s Canadian through and through,” says Williams.

Injured defensive tackle Torrell Troup can also boast a personal connection to the north country. One of his best friends is the son of former Toronto Raptors coach Butch Carter.

In recent years, the Bills’ relationship with Canada has been highlighted as the franchise tries to expand its fan base into Ontario. A large part of that effort is the five-year deal with Rogers that saw the team host games in Toronto in exchange for $78 million.

Many feel the agreement is akin to losing a home game, a disadvantage that could derail any possible playoff run. It’s a sensitive issue for fans of a team going on its 13th year without a post-season appearance, the longest active drought in the league.

Veteran defensive end Chris Kelsay said many fans at Toronto games cheer for the Bills’ opponents.

“In Buffalo,” said Kelsay, “we’ve got our true fans who show up, rain, winter or snow to support us … It’s definitely different.”

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, speaking on a conference call, said that if his team had to host a game in a different city, he “would think we’d have lost a bit of an advantage … Hopefully we’ll be a beneficiary of it.”

When asked whether it’s frustrating to have to travel north, Bills coach Chan Gailey was dismissive.

“Frustrating’s not where you play, frustrating’s not winning,” said Gailey, who’s faced criticism for his play calling after last Sunday’s 15-12 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

“You’d rather be at home; everybody would rather be at home. But you can’t play 16 (games) at home, so you play the way it’s scheduled.”

The Associated Press

Top Stories

Bills’ ‘home game’ in Toronto annoys diehard fans

SportsDec 13, 2012Waterloo Region Record

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — How Canadian are this year’s Buffalo Bills?

It’s a question worth asking, given the feelings of annoyance here in Orchard Park, N.Y. over the Bills’ upcoming “home game” in Toronto.

On paper, the answer is clear. They’re entirely not Canadian. No players on the roster come from the Great White North. And none of the coaches are Canucks.

NHL fans?

“Hell no,” responds star defensive end Mario Williams, flabbergasted by the question as he stands in front of the stocked-up fridge in his locker-room cubby hole. “I know absolutely nothing about the NHL.”

But there are some Canadian connections to be found in the carpeted locker-room at the team’s field house practice facility beside Ralph Wilson Stadium — if you look hard enough.

For starters, the franchise does have at least one true hockey fan: tight-end/fullback Dorin Dickerson, a Pittsburgh native who cheers for the Penguins and is closely following lockout developments.

“My best friend growing up, he lived across the street from me. He was from the Czech Republic, and his family was real big into hockey,” explains the 24-year-old, who signed with Buffalo as a free agent in May.

Dickerson even plays the game, dropping in on ball hockey and skating with some Pittsburgh B-teams during the off-season. He thinks fighting in hockey is “great” and says he’d be an enforcer if he were to play in the NHL.

Hang on, though — before he’s declared an honorary Canadian, one thing should be made clear. He’s never been north of the border.

But he says he’s excited for his first trip on Sunday, when his team faces the Seattle Seahawks and their rookie-sensation quarterback Russell Wilson at the Rogers Centre.

On the defensive side of the ball, there’s Kyle Williams. The 303-pound, 2011 Pro Bowl D-tackle is well acquainted with Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski. They were roommates at Louisiana State University.

“He’s from Vancouver and plays in the CFL, so he’s Canadian through and through,” says Williams.

Injured defensive tackle Torrell Troup can also boast a personal connection to the north country. One of his best friends is the son of former Toronto Raptors coach Butch Carter.

In recent years, the Bills’ relationship with Canada has been highlighted as the franchise tries to expand its fan base into Ontario. A large part of that effort is the five-year deal with Rogers that saw the team host games in Toronto in exchange for $78 million.

Many feel the agreement is akin to losing a home game, a disadvantage that could derail any possible playoff run. It’s a sensitive issue for fans of a team going on its 13th year without a post-season appearance, the longest active drought in the league.

Veteran defensive end Chris Kelsay said many fans at Toronto games cheer for the Bills’ opponents.

“In Buffalo,” said Kelsay, “we’ve got our true fans who show up, rain, winter or snow to support us … It’s definitely different.”

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, speaking on a conference call, said that if his team had to host a game in a different city, he “would think we’d have lost a bit of an advantage … Hopefully we’ll be a beneficiary of it.”

When asked whether it’s frustrating to have to travel north, Bills coach Chan Gailey was dismissive.

“Frustrating’s not where you play, frustrating’s not winning,” said Gailey, who’s faced criticism for his play calling after last Sunday’s 15-12 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

“You’d rather be at home; everybody would rather be at home. But you can’t play 16 (games) at home, so you play the way it’s scheduled.”